Issue - meetings

This report reviews the effects on the drainage system in York as a result of the rainfall events which occurred during June 2007.  It also advises Members on the relationships between the various organisations who deal with the discharge of surface water from within the city.  The report reviews the gully cleaning service in line with the motion to Full Council on 4 October 2007 and examines options to improve maintenance of the highway drainage assets.

  Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to note  :

a)         The rainfall which fell on the 25 June 2007 was an exceptional event which overwhelmed the capacity of the drainage infrastructure, there were local exceptions to this and remedial works have either been carried out or further investigations are ongoing;

b)         The work being undertaken as part of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs research into their Integrated Urban Drainage Management project which will report in September 2008 and hopefully establish a better legal framework for those involved in drainage run-off to operate within;

c)         The collaborative work undertaken by Council and Yorkshire Water Services staff to identify potential problems in the drainage network, this work is still ongoing;

d)         The work carried out over recent years to the gully cleaning service and that the information outlined in paragraphs 75 to 77, is used to inform the budget setting process for 2008/09;

e)         The work carried out to produce the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the new guidance given to Planning Development Control Office;

f)          The pressure being put on the budgets supporting river and surface water flooding, along with resources to react to the riparian ownership duties, flood emergencies and warping, and that the information outlined in paragraphs 78 to 83, is used to inform the budget setting process for 2008/09.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED :That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON :    

a)         To inform the Executive Member of the severity of the conditions which caused the event.

b)         To advise the Executive Member of the ongoing work being undertaken at a national level, so decisions for the future can be taken in light of emerging national guidance.

c)         To manage the drainage assets efficiently.

d)         To demonstrate the strategic importance of the service and to enable it to develop and improve within set parameters to deliver the most sustainable outcome.

e)                             To advise the Executive Member of improvements in the planning process.

f)          To demonstrate the strategic importance of the service and to enable it to develop and improve within set parameters to deliver the most sustainable outcome.

Members considered a report which reviewed the effects on the drainage system in York as a result of the rainfall events which occurred during June 2007. It also advised Members on the relationship between the various organisations who deal with the discharge of surface water from within the city. The report reviewed the gully cleaning service in line with the motion to Full Council on 4 October 2007 and examined options to improve maintenance of the highway drainage assets.

Members discussed planning policy issues, gully cleaning, consultation with partner agencies, and maintenance of watercourses. Members requested that Annex A be amended to reflect the correct Wards¹. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to note  :

a)         The rainfall which fell on the 25 June 2007 was an exceptional event which overwhelmed the capacity of the drainage infrastructure, there were local exceptions to this and remedial works have either been carried out or further investigations are ongoing;

b)         The work being undertaken as part of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs research into their Integrated Urban Drainage Management project which will report in September 2008 and hopefully establish a better legal framework for those involved in drainage run-off to operate within;

c)         The collaborative work undertaken by Council and Yorkshire Water Services staff to identify potential problems in the drainage network, this work is still ongoing;

d)         The work carried out over recent years to the gully cleaning service and that the information outlined in paragraphs 75 to 77, is used to inform the budget setting process for 2008/09;

e)         The work carried out to produce the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the new guidance given to Planning Development Control Office;

f)          The pressure being put on the budgets supporting river and surface water flooding, along with resources to react to the riparian ownership duties, flood emergencies and warping, and that the information outlined in paragraphs 78 to 83, is used to inform the budget setting process for 2008/09.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED :That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON :    

a)         To inform the Executive Member of the severity of the conditions which caused the event.

b)         To advise the Executive Member of the ongoing work being undertaken at a national level, so decisions for the future can be taken in light of emerging national guidance.

c)         To manage the drainage assets efficiently.

d)         To demonstrate the strategic importance of the service and to enable it to develop and improve within set parameters to deliver the most sustainable outcome.

e)                             To advise the Executive Member of improvements in the planning process.

f)          To demonstrate the strategic importance of the service and to enable it to develop and improve within set parameters to deliver the most sustainable outcome.